Hierarchical Polygon-to-Point Collapsing for Multi-Scale Representation Based on the Straight Skeleton

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

A. Gholami (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences)

Pawel Boguslawski (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences)

M. Meijers (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)

Research Group
Digital Technologies
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-XI-4-2026-21-2026 Final published version
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
Digital Technologies
Journal title
ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Issue number
4-2026
Volume number
11
Pages (from-to)
21-28
Event
ISPRS Congress 2026 (2026-07-04 - 2026-07-11), Toronto, Canada
Page Views
54
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Abstract

This paper presents a LoD transition space for the dimensional collapse of a polygon into point(s) within a structured multi-scale framework. Unlike traditional cartographic generalisation, where topological relationships may be modified to improve map readability, the proposed method follows a model-based representation in which transitions are derived explicitly from straight skeleton events. The methodology uses the straight skeleton to generate a sequence of shrinking stages governed by edge and split events, each of which defines both a topological transformation and its corresponding geometric change. Based on these event-driven transitions, intermediate Levels of Detail (LoDs) are constructed and organized hierarchically. The resulting hierarchy is then mapped to the Dual Half-Edge (DHE) structure, where the primal space represents successive geometric states and the dual space represents their hierarchical relations along the scale dimension. This integration produces a unified 2D+1D representation that supports a continuous transition from polygon to point. In addition to its relevance for vario-scale cartography, the proposed framework has potential applicability in domains requiring structured shape transformation, such as animation and procedural modelling.